Protective layer and method for installing same

ABSTRACT

A shielding construction for houses, including a plurality of abutting and bolted together “c” metal profiles, forming a layer of adjacent profiles. Bolts join each of the mutually abutting profiles, and metal plate overlays provide cover over the abutment zones between each two adjacent profiles. The metal “C” metal profiles may be humped.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is in the field of defensive constructions, specifically constructions for fortifying buildings against impacting projectiles and exploding ammunition and for providing a protected zone inside or in the immediate vicinity of a building.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Civilian houses are generally vulnerable to military impact and exploding ammunition. Gun and cannon ammunition, mortar shells and ballistic missiles can cause a great deal of damage to houses and the population within due to the mechanical deficiencies of ordinary masonry elements vis-à-vis such threats. Destructively aimed mortar and ballistic missiles can pose a long lasting hazard of inflicting severe damages and life threats to civilian houses and inhabitants respectively. This is related at least in part to the fact that perpetrators of such hostile acts can remain immune for a long period of time due to their relative inconspicuousness, hiding at a location which is indirectly observed by the defending side and/or are located faraway from the place of inflicted damage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of a horizontal planar shielding layer of the invention, showing components;

FIG. 2 is a partial cross sectional view in a house containing a shielding construction showing a support leg and a horizontal planar shielding layer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

The present invention provides a shielding construction for houses, for reinforcing ceilings of rooms against the impact of shells, mortar missiles and exploding ammunition in general. A typical embodiment of the invention is a construction in which a metal horizontal planar component shielding layer is disposed above or below the ceiling of a room. The horizontal construction is typically suspended on four legs. A metal construction is laid in parallel to a ceiling in a room to which protection is to be endowed. Typically the metal construction of the invention is modular, lending itself to assembling in situ as will be explained later on.

Longitudinal “c” shaped metal profiles are laid so that their flanks are abutting, forming a planar metal surface. The “c” shaped profile elements are held together by a row of bolts positioned along the abutting flanks. To describe a preferred embodiment of the invention, reference is first made to FIG. 1. In this drawing, a cross sectional view of a “c” profile and such two adjacent profiles as well as other elements of the metal horizontal planar shielding layer (HPSL) is described. Profiles 20 are laid side by side bolted together by bolts 24. The plurality of juxtaposed “c” profiles bolted together, form the HPSL. Metal plate overlays 26 are laid on top of the “c” profile abutment zones, covering the junction between each two adjacent “c” profiles. Optionally one or more strengthening plates are inserted to each “c” profile typically by sliding. In the drawing strengthening plates 28 and 30 are shown. These plate or plates are subtended by brackets 34 formed by the inwardly projecting walls of the “c” profile. Although “c” profile elements are preferred, other profiles may be used, for example, an omega profile is a relevant candidate. Any profile would do if it provides for lateral adjoining, and in the case that strengthening plates are used, projections for holding such plates.

The HPSL can be laid on metal beams or on apertures in the walls of the room. To explain the entire shielding construction, reference is first made to FIG. 2. In this side view, HPSL 42 is laid below ceiling 44. The entire construction and ceiling are concealed by roof 46. HPSL 42 is, in this example subtended by horizontal beam 48, which in turn is subtended by leg 52 which in some embodiments has telescopic element 56. Bracket 58 joins HPSL 42 to horizontal beam 48. The legs as mentioned above may be telescopic or their length may be vertically stretchable by other mechanisms such as a vertical screw projection. Typically the entire construction is concealed from the outside by walls 52.

Installation

A notable advantage of the construction of the invention is that it can be applied to existing houses without subjecting the residents to excessive hassle if a specific room or a plurality of rooms are to be fortified against attacks of indirect ammunition. The horizontal planar component forms a shield once all the “c” profiles are laid side by side and bolted together. To achieve this, first the components are to be brought into the house/room, which can be achieved by bringing in the components through the door or window, or by first forming an aperture along the wall of the room destined to be fortified, at a level above or below the ceiling, through which the components of the HPSL are inserted. To subtend the “c” profiles, a horizontal beam can be placed on opposite walls, each such beam standing Then, the “c” profiles with previously made bores at the flanks are laid side by side, and bolted together. Metal plate overlays are then placed above the junctions between the junctions. Typically, strengthening plates are inserted into each “c” profile, after the bolts adjoining the “c” profiles are inserted and tightened. The strengthening plates are inserted in the “c” profiles by either sliding from the side or from the opening below.

Once the shielding construction is installed, the process may be reversed such that the construction is disassembled and moved at will to other locations, after making the provisions for reinstallation in the other location. Generally, the construction may be installed in rooms inside a house or on balconies or open spaces in the vicinity of the house. 

1. A shielding construction for houses, comprising: a plurality of abutting and bolted together, metal profiles; bolts for joining each mutually abutting said profiles, and metal plate overlays for providing cover over the abutment zones between each two adjacent profiles.
 2. A shielding construction for houses, as in claim 1, further comprising at least one strengthening plate inserted in at least one of said profiles.
 3. A shielding construction for houses, as in claim 1 wherein said profiles are “c” profiles.
 4. A shielding construction for houses, as in claim 1 further comprising legs for supporting said shielding construction.
 5. A shielding construction for houses, as in claim 4 wherein said legs are vertically stretchable to adjust their length.
 6. A shielding construction for houses, as in claim 4 wherein the number of said legs is four.
 7. A method for providing a protected zone within a house, wherein a shielding construction is assembled inside a house, and wherein said shielding construction comprises a metal horizontal planar shielding layer assembled from at least metal profiles mutually bolted along their flanks. 